Do you love espionage and spies? Do you love historical dramas? Do you love murder? Mystery? Mob stories? And do you want it all while wearing the best mascara MAC has to offer? Because holy moly this book had it all. This week, I had the pleasure of reading Rouge: A Novel of Beauty and … Continue reading Review – Rouge: A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry by Richard Kirshenbaum
IdRatherBeReading
My Top 10 LGBT+ Books
We’re just past halfway through Pride Month, so it seems like the natural time for me to share with you my top 10 favorite LGBT+ books. Because, you know, I’m known for being consistent and timely. As I compiled this list, I thought about how limited my experience actually is with books featuring LGBT+ protagonists. … Continue reading My Top 10 LGBT+ Books
Review – Deep Water Blues by Fred Waitzkin
Does anybody remember that 90s movie, Searching for Bobby Fischer? I remember watching it—I was probably in the fifth grade—and I was struck by a revelation at the end. The credits rolled and an important thought crossed my mind: chess was definitely not a game for me. I didn’t have the patience for it. I … Continue reading Review – Deep Water Blues by Fred Waitzkin
Review – How to Experience Death for Beginners by Jessica Branton
So many updates in the Pluckyverse, I don't even know where to begin. The semester started off crazy with me taking on way more responsibilities than I could manage and somehow getting them done. What that meant, though, was my reading life suffered and my blogging life became nearly nonexistent. But I am back and … Continue reading Review – How to Experience Death for Beginners by Jessica Branton
Book Tour – I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel
Today is an exciting day as I get to be part of Anne Bogel's release tour for her new book, Reading People: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life, which will be released September 4, 2018. Last year, I was chosen to be part of Anne's launch team for her first book, Reading People, … Continue reading Book Tour – I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel
Cool June Morning Musings
It's a cool and breezy morning as I sit to write this post. The temperature has been in the low- to mid-90's this week, so sitting outside has not been on the top of my to-do list. But for whatever blessed reason, today it's in the mid-80's and breezy And I'll take that any day. … Continue reading Cool June Morning Musings
Top Ten Tuesday – Books That Inspired Broadway Musicals
This morning, my day started with my mom tagging me in a post on Facebook about auditioning for The Music Man. When I was in the second grade, I was cast as Winthrop in a local high school's production. Since then, it has been something special between us. She was with me at every rehearsal and … Continue reading Top Ten Tuesday – Books That Inspired Broadway Musicals
Pablo Neruda – A Master of Love
In continuing my observance of National Poetry Month, I revisited some of my favorite poems by Neruda. He was a master of the love poem. I'd have fallen in love with Neruda if he'd written these poems to me. Guaranteed. Neruda's poems are beautiful in translation, but they're so much better in the original Spanish. I don't … Continue reading Pablo Neruda – A Master of Love
Top Ten Tuesday – Books Set in New York City
Another Tuesday, another Top Ten. Today, I am dreaming (as I often do) about New York City and my imaginary life there. Years ago, before I settled into teaching in small-town Louisiana and longed for something more exciting that a mid-afternoon nap, I dreamt of moving to New York City and making my mark. I … Continue reading Top Ten Tuesday – Books Set in New York City
A Very Restless Plucky
It's testing week! It's testing week! And you know what that means! Actually, if you're not a teacher, you probably have no idea. So I'll break it down for you in a way that hopefully doesn't sound like complaining. It means a week of getting to school earlier than usual to sit in a room … Continue reading A Very Restless Plucky